The Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B22. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4, reaching the position shown below after 18 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after nine moves. White has doubled pawns on the f-file; White’s f- and h-files pawns are isolated; White has the bishop pair.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
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The Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B22.
The Alapin Variation, Barmen Defense, Endgame Variation is ECO B22. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. c3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. cxd4 Nc6 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. gxf3 Qxd4 9. Qxd4 Nxd4 at +0.54 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has doubled pawns on the f-file; White’s f- and h-files pawns are isolated; White has the bishop pair.